Betting on minor sports events is barred by VGCCC
In the heart of Australia, Victoria has strengthened its stance against underage gambling in the sports betting industry. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), an independent body that regulates gambling activities, has taken a firm position on the matter, expressing concerns about minors being more prone to influence and undermining the integrity of sporting events.
The VGCCC has imposed new rules that ban minors who haven't turned 19 from placing bets on sports events. This ban extends to both junior and senior sports, ensuring that gamblers will not be able to place bets on individual players under 18.
Sporting organizations are obligated to revise their deals with operators to ensure that betting on minors is strictly prohibited. This ruling applies to both regulated and independent sports that aren't approved by the authorities. In open sports events where minors are playing, bets can theoretically be placed on the whole team but not on specific minor players and their outcomes.
The authorities have 60 days to agree upon new rules and start complying with them regarding the prohibition of betting on minors. The VGCCC has made it clear that this is not a matter to be taken lightly. Fran Thorn, Chair of VGCCC, stated that betting on minors is not acceptable and minors deserve protection.
The VGCCC has threatened to revoke approval of sports controlling bodies and prosecute betting providers if they do not comply with the decision to prohibit betting on minors. This strong stance is part of Victoria's ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of sports and protect its younger citizens from the potential harms of gambling.
Victoria's current gambling regulations strictly prohibit betting by minors, and operators must enforce robust identity checks, including mandatory carded play on poker machines, to prevent underage gambling. Non-compliance with these rules leads to serious regulatory actions such as censures, fines, and possible more severe disciplinary measures by the VGCCC.
Since December 2023, all poker machines require players to use a YourPlay card which involves identity verification, enabling players to set limits on time and money spent and preventing minors' access. This mandatory pre-commitment and carded play system is part of Victoria's commitment to responsible gambling practices.
The VGCCC takes non-compliance seriously. For example, Crown Melbourne was formally censured for allowing customers to gamble beyond their pre-set limits and for permitting use of accounts not linked to a customer's legal name, although these breaches did not directly involve minors. Penalties can include fines, reprimands, licence sanctions, and monitoring requirements. Repeat or serious offences may prompt more severe disciplinary actions, including licence suspension or revocation.
In summary, Victoria enforces strict rules to prevent minors from betting through mandatory identity verification and pre-commitment controls, with the VGCCC empowered to penalize operators who fail to comply. The VGCCC's main concern is the influence and potential undermining of the integrity of sporting events by minors, and it will not hesitate to take action against those who do not adhere to these new regulations.
- The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has expanded its regulations to prohibit minors from participating in poker, a form of gaming commonly found in casinos.
- The sports betting industry is under increased scrutiny in Victoria, with a ban on minors placing bets on both junior and senior sports, including sports like poker.
- In line with its commitment to responsible gambling, Victoria has implemented a system known as YourPlay card, which requires all poker machines to verify players' identities and prevents minors from accessing gambling facilities.
- The VGCCC has expressed concerns about the potential harm that gambling can cause to minors, and has threatened to revoke the licenses of sports controlling bodies and prosecute betting providers if they fail to comply with the new regulations designed to protect minors.
